Five-year business plan launched for city centre

A five-year business plan for Retail BID, the business improvement district which looks after Birmingham city centre, has set out its three priorities should it secure a third term.
The BID operates in five year terms, and must be approved by businesses within the area for it to continue.
Street cleaning, public realm improvements, business crime support and a safer city centre were the priorities that came out of the Retail BID consultation as part of its proposed third term.
The BID business plan for the next five years follows three themes. The first is delivering The Birmingham Welcome with a safe, attractive and accessible city centre. The second is to continue business support and growth, representing and networking members for their benefit.
The third is to develop the Birmingham Experience, taking in projects such as reimagining New Street as a place to enjoy and trade, creating a digital city centre that engages with visitors and customers online, in print and on street and continuing promotional and event work, to attract more visitors and shoppers.
Jonathan Cheetham, chairman of the Retail BID, said: “Retail BID has been a strong voice for its members since 2007, and will continue to support, network and represent businesses in Birmingham city centre throughout our third term.
“Through this ‘voice’, Retail BID leveraged over £1.2m in business support funds during our second term. By continuing to work as a single community, successes like this can be achieved again.”
Retail BID members will be given the opportunity to vote between September 19 and October 27.
Mr Cheetham added: “There is continued investment in the city from both public and private money, and the city centre retains a healthy balance of large-scale retailing (Bullring, Grand Central, Mailbox) and unique small and independent businesses that create personality and points of difference to the City Centre Experience. 
“However we must not become complacent, Birmingham City Council still has to find nearly £250m of savings and from services already reduced or removed.”

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